Baptism and Confirmation

Baptism

Baptism is a ‘sacrament’, a visible sign of God’s love.

In the baptism of a baby or small child parents are bringing him or her to God. You thank God for his life and make a decision to start him or her on a new journey of faith with Christ, and you ask for the church’s support. Your child will be anointed with Cross of Christ in holy oil, be baptised with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and finally receive a lighted candle as he goes out to ‘shine as a light in the world to the Glory of God the Father’.

Baptisms usually take place in the main 10 a.m. service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. This is so the congregation can welcome your child into the fellowship of faith, his or her new family, and be welcomed by as many of us as possible.

One of the clergy will visit you prior to the baptism service and guide you through it in advance and answer any questions you may have so that you feel comfortable and at home on the day.

If you have not been baptised as an infant and are 11 years old or more we usually combine baptism with confirmation.

Confirmation

Confirmation marks the point in a person’s life when they affirm the promises that were made on their behalf at their baptism. These promises are confirmed by prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop.

Confirmation preparation classes are held for those wishing to be confirmed, one for children and one for adults. Those not yet baptised will be baptised and confirmed at the same service.

St Mary the Virgin Church Walk, off Church Lane, off Worlds End Lane, Weston Turville Buckinghamshire, HP22 5SH